BULLETIN 5/23/12 [RE:CHRIST HOSPITAL MEETING 5/24/12]

ALL AT OJC:

MINUTES HAVE NOT BEEN POSTED YET-- BUT THE OJC GENERAL ASSEMBLY AGREED TO MOVE OUR GENERAL ASSEMBLY ON MAY 24th (THURSDAY) TO attend THIS MEETING LOCATION for  CHRIST HOSPITAL MEETING:

COMMUNITY ACTION MAKES A DIFFERENCE

Strong community voices prevented a rushed sale of Christ Hospital with almost no guarantees for the hospital's future.  Community leadership helped guarantee Christ Hospital's jobs.  Now we need to ensure that the state protects:

1. Health care services and the hospital's commitments
2. Community input in health care planning
3. Christ Hospital's valuable real estate

There will be two public hearings on the sale of Christ Hospital this week.  We need your presence and support! Click here to say "I'll be there!"

PUBLIC HEARINGS

WHEN:     

               **Thursday 5/24 - 6pm**

                 Attorney General & DHSS CHAPA Hearing

WHERE:  Culinary Institute of Hudson Community College
                161 Newkirk St
                Jersey City, NJ 07306
**Thursday's hearing is broad-ranging on the impact of the sale - if you can come, we especially encourage you to come on Thursday**


Go to   www.savechristhospital.org 



for the full hearing announcements and issue summaries.  For more information please contact Paul Bellanboyer at pbellanboy@aol.com

OCCUPY JERSEY CITY - MINUTES - 5/17/12

OCCUPY JERSEY CITY - General Assembly MINUTES - 5/17/2012

7:30pm - 8:30pm

NO SPECIFIC FACILITATOR
ERIK - MINUTES

ATTENDING:
JOSHUA, LORSEN, MIGNA, CALVIN, IMRAN, ERIK


AGENDA:

1. FLYERS
2. CHRIST HOSPITAL UPDATE
3. ISRAELI DIVESTMENT ISSUE / THANK YOUS
4. NATO / CHICAGO
5. NDAA / STOP AND FRISK ISSUES
6. COMMUNITY GARDENS


1. FLYERS

-Erik donated print outs of Alex's language for NEW OJC flyers - front and back.
-Lorsen and all agreed they were very good, but need editing (TOO long)
-Committee created for flyer editing (Erik, Alex, Migna, Lorsen and Joshua)


2. CHRIST HOSPITAL UPDATE

-CHRIST HOSPITAL still needs to be monitored
-SAVE CHRIST HOSPITAL is still in existence and is having several meetings soon which OJC should attend if possible:

Agreement on several key issues:

 

*** IMPORTANCE OF HAVING GOOD GRASSROOTS REPRESENTATION ESPECIALLY ON THURSDAY 5/24 ***

Both meetings begin at 6pm and are at the same location:

Culinary Conference Center at Hudson County Community College 

Scott Ring Room, 2nd Floor 

161 Newkirk Street at Sip Avenue 

Jersey City, New Jersey 07306

- HPAE to bring 20-30

- NJCA doing email blasts

- SCH should strive to bring out 20+ from attendees of prev mtgs

- PB to contact press, electeds

 

1. Inconsistencies between Holdco's public statements, Asset Purchase Agreement, and state application for license (Certificate of Need), especially definition of services and length hospital will operate.

 

2. Need for state to clarify and enforce operating commitments. Establish an independent health care access monitor.

 

3. Meaningful public role in implementing recommendations of the Navigant report. We thought it was more important to have a community role in this, than seats on a toothless community advisory board for Christ Hospital

 

4. Asset protection for Christ Hospital's valuable real estate. The concern is that the new owners will sell to a Real Estate Investment Trust (as they reserve the right to do in their APA, and as they have done in Bayonne and Hoboken, using those windfall profits to fund new acquisitions like Christ Hospital). We might suggest "clawback" provisions so that sale profits go not to the owners' pockets, but to establish a "conversion foundation" to carry one Christ Hospital's charitable health care mission.

 

Will send further details later, as well as talking points for testimony next week.

 

Paul Bellan-Boyer


3. ISRAELI DIVESTMENT ISSUE / THANK YOUS

-It was explained that The Quakers recently divested funds from Caterpillar (business that produces bulldozers) over Israeli aggressions and bulldozing of homes, etc. in Palestine
-End the Occupation and other groups, including many progressive Jewish groups against occupation have called for other groups to send thank-yous to the Quakers for their action.
-Erik proposed that OJC send a thank you to Quakers
-ALL agreed
-VOTED ON AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY to send a thank you to Quakers.
-Migna suggested we send letters/thank yous to other nations who've spoken out on occupation also



4. NATO / CHICAGO

-Lorsen gave us all a lesson on history and meaning of "NATO" (NORTH ATLANTIC TREATY ORGANIZATION)
-Protests are scheduled for this weekend in CHICAGO
-Our OJC / OWS member Michael Pellagatti will be in Chicago all week for these actions as a member of MEDIA


5. NDAA / STOP AND FRISK ISSUES
-Migna explained that two separate judges both declared injunctions on provisions in both the NDAA and the 'Stop and Frisk' policy in NY, based on UN-Constitutionality
-This is very good news and will be supported and monitored
-Calvin explained that the current NDAA provisions should only be used in' dire straits'


6. COMMUNITY GARDENS

-Lorsen requested an update on COMMUNITY GARDENS
-Roxana was contact person for this and will be tabled/ brought up again - at future OJC meetings for information when she returns


*REMINDERS:

1. OJC is sponsoring a TRIP to LOWER EAST SIDE FESTIVAL - MAY 25, 26, 27th - NYC

OJC will pay for ALL PATH TRAIN RIDES of OJC members both there and back! 
WE HAVE $36. in METROCARD TRIPS for OJC MEMBER USE!

http://www.theaterforthenewcity.net/les.htm

OJC will decide on TUE. which day we will all go (MOST LIKELY SATURDAY) - SO PLEASE COME BY / EMAIL US and vote for your choice day.



2. FIRST WEEK IN JUNE - FIRST TUESDAY IN JUNE - OJC MOVES BACK TO FOUNTAIN w/ SIGNS

MINUTES - GENERAL ASSEMBLY 5/15/12

OCCUPY JERSEY CITY - Minutes - General Assembly 5/15/2012

Michael P. - Facilitator
Erik - Minutes

Start - 7:20 Adjourned 8:04pm

Attending:
Calvin, Michael P., Migna, Joshua, Erik, Imran

AGENDA:

*MOVING OJC GA BACK TO 9/11 FOUNTAIN AREA in Square

*UPDATE: OJC ENDORSEMENT for 'NATIONAL GATHERING'

*REPORT BACK on SANDER HICK'S PLAY (OJC was invited FREE)

*UPDATE on 'CHICAGO Actions'


*MOVING OJC GA BACK TO 9/11 FOUNTAIN AREA in Square

-Michael P. suggested OJC move back into Journal Square OUTSIDE by fountain as we did last year
-This was suggested at PRIOR meeting as well
-Said we (OJC) need a 'visible presence outside'
-ALL agreed.
-PROS and CONS of BOTH areas was discussed
-Michael P. made a motion to VOTE to move OJC GA to 9/11 Fountain beginning the FIRST TUESDAY in JUNE (with the understanding that OJC meetings will be held in safe, indoor sites in inclement weather).
-VOTE / MOTION PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

*UPDATE: OJC ENDORSEMENT for 'NATIONAL GATHERING'

-Michael explained about the National Gathering which is an action beginning in late June, culminating on July 4th in PHILADELPHIA
-N.G is endorsed and co-sponsored by OWS
-Miguel P's contact invited OJC to endorse this action
-OJC endorsed a few GA's back
-Erik explained he contacted Miguel's contact and let them know we (OJC) have endorsed

*REPORT BACK on SANDER HICK'S PLAY (OJC was invited FREE)

-Several OJC members took advantage of the complimentary offer to attend SANDER HICK'S new play about 9/11 called, "BRONZE STAR"
-Migna updated that the play was exceptionally well-written and acted.
-Musical performances by other performers came before and after play.
-Explained that SANDER HICKS gave a 'shout out' to OJC at the event beforehand.

*UPDATE on 'CHICAGO Actions'

-Michael told us of NATO meeting in Chicago very soon
-There will be many protests
-RUMORS of POSSIBLE evacuations IN CASE OF EXTREME EMERGENCY
-Michael is going to Chicago for peaceful protests
-Erik, Calvin, Joshua and all wished Michael well and suggested actions to remain safe - including getting local NLG number and keeping at all times in case of emergency.
-Michael will update us constantly

OTHER BUSINESS:

*CALVIN - reminded that OJC needs a fundraiser - ALL AGREED! We will do when weather is nice and outdoors again!

*JOSHUA - said to remember that the 'enemy is on attack' and that the 'Judicial system is corrupted' - this opinion from his own recent experience

*Erik - REMINDED that ALL OJC members are invited to come to Lower East Side Festival the end of this month - with PATH rides there and back being funded compliments of OJC. (OJC has TWO METROCARDS for OJC related events/arts/actions. ONE card Erik has with $16. still on it - and ALEX has the other one with $20. on it.)

*WAS SUGGESTED THAT JOSHUA'S COURT ISSUE be added to OJC AGENDA in near future


MEETING ADJOURNED
8:04pm

MINUTES - GA - 5/10/2012

OCCUPY JERSEY CITY - Minutes - General Assembly 5/10/2012

Facilitator - Lorsen
Minutes - Erik

Attending - Hugo, Calvin, Erik, Lorsen, Alex, Migna

7:30 start   8:59 adjourned

**PRIOR TO MEETING
MIGUEL MET ALEX and ERIK PRIOR TO GA.
MIGUEL RELEASED OJC FUNDS IN THE AMOUNT OF $50. FOR 2 METROCARDS ($20. each) and $10. for gift to cast and crew of FREE PLAY OJC was invited to.  MIGUEL HAS METROCARD RECEIPTS.  OJC HAS TWO METROCARDS NOW.
ERIK, ALEX and MIGNA - used $10. for 2 boxed cookies - and 1 mug for PLAY CAST and CREW as thank you from OJC collective for FREE invite.
ERIK DONATED THANK YOU CARD.

REMEMBER ALL ARE INVITED TO GET FREE PATH RIDE TO and FROM THE LOWER EAST SIDE FESTIVAL - COMPLIMENTS OF OJC GA.

AGENDA:

*LETTER FOR COUNCILPERSON

*PLAY and RELATED ISSUES

*FLYERS


*LETTER FOR COUNCILPERSON Ward E

-Several members of OJC formed a committee to write an open letter to Councilman of Ward E  re: Goldman Sachs
-Letter was presented to OJC GA for inspection, re-write, and either approval or denial.
-Members of letter committee NOT PRESENT sent word of endorsing letter 100%
-Two additional OJC members made amendments to letter (which were added).
-Letter was read and put up for GA approval and vote to send out
-VOTE PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.
-Letter will be sent out soon
-Lorsen proposed for OJC to print copies of the letter - APPROVED


*PLAY and RELATED FINANCE ISSUES

-Migna worked on getting OJC invited for FREE (unemployed, homeless and veterans) to a NEW play written by filmmaker, writer and 9/11 expert Sander Hicks.
-Migna and other OJC members sent out FREE invites on OJC facebook, via email, through messages and on event page
-Four OJC members responded as wanting to go (some others were working or are ill)
-Those who confirmed were to meet at 5:30 at SIP and BERGEN coffee franchise on 5/11
-The play, "BRONZE STAR" will start at 7:30 in Brooklyn
-Migna explained that OJC needed an "alternative procedure for emergencies" such as for issues with time constraint and/or possible funds for legal matters, etc.  This was agreed upon.                  

*FLYERS

-Erik presented copies of drafts of NEW OJC flyer which Alex created.  Needs editing.  All agreed flyer content was great issues.
-All agreed we need to add website and other contact info also
-OJC will collectively continue to work on NEW OJC flyer
-Suggested that when flyer is created we use at certain targeted events - coupled w/ signs


*Also, Calvin updated us on his situations and on his security knowledge and security issues.

OCCUPY JERSEY CITY MINUTES 5/8/12

OCCUPY JERSEY CITY - Minutes - General Assembly - 5/8/2012

Facilitator - Calvin
Minutes - Erik

Attending:
Imran, Chaz, Hugo, Erik, Calvin, Alex, Migna, Michael P., Yvez

7:30 start - 9:45 finish


AGENDA:

*PROPOSAL FOR OJC TO ATTEND PLAY IN NYC
*RE-OCCUPATION of JOURNAL SQUARE by OJC
*'NATIONAL GATHERING" Information and Endorsement by OJC
*FLYER UPDATE
*BLIND GENTLEMAN in CHINA / ACTIVIST
*DIRECT ACTIONS for OJC
*MAY DAY - REPORT BACK (entire day) from MIKE P.
*LOWER EAST SIDE FESTIVAL - OJC TRIP
*OJC FACEBOOK ISSUES

*PROPOSAL FOR OJC TO ATTEND PLAY IN NYC

-Migna contacted writer and actor/producer of NEW play re: 9/11 (BRONZE STAR) and this person (Sander Hicks) invited OJC members to attend a performance complimentary. (offer also extended to those Unemployed/Unemployment and Veterans)

http://www.sanderhicks.com/bronzestarplay.html

-Donations are welcome / OJC invited by playwright complimentary
-OJC took VOTE to agree to attend - PASSED UNANIMOUSLY

-DATE AGREED TO ATTEND - FRIDAY, MAY 11th (Migna will follow up with times and locations)
-Performances are in Brooklyn (St. Mark's Cathedral) near Myrtle Ave. (According to Mike P.)

-Yves suggested OJC promise to do some promotions / maybe write review as THANK YOU to producer/writer
-Erik suggested OJC support OJC members by getting a $20. METROCARD for ONLY PATH rides either there/back depending on how many OJC members attend. THIS PROPOSAL WAS COUPLED WITH A SUGGESTED $10. AMOUNT TO BE SPENT ON CHOCOLATES / COOKIES for cast as a THANK YOU. ERIK ALSO REMINDED OF ADDITIONAL $20. METROCARD for OJC transpo. VOTED AND APPROVED FOR LOWER EAST SIDE FESTIVAL TRIP - at the end of MAY. THIS WAS APPROVED ON MAY 1st OJC GA.

-$20 PLAY/Metro + $20 L.E.S./Metro + $10 PLAY/Donation/Chocolates = $50 total - proposed/requested by Erik/Yves/Alex/Migna for Calvin / MIGUEL to take out of OJC funds to give to ALEX for purchasing METROCARDS. CHOCOLATES will be bought by us collectively in Journal Square

**REMEMBER this $50. is for TWO separate events - travel expenses for OJC members/unemployed/homeless members,etc.

-VOTED ON AND PASSED UNANIMOUSLY
-Calvin requests receipts and informed us that OJC has $200. left in account and suggests we do fund-raising.

-HUGO, ALEX, MIGNA and ERIK expressed interest in attending - all OJC members are invited!

-ALL THOSE ATTENDING would be responsible for NY SUBWAY FARES TO and FROM BROOKLYN. (the "L" Line)
OJC IS ONLY FUNDING PATH RIDES.

-ALL OJC MEMBERS WHO WANT TO ATTEND NEED TO CONTACT MIGNA / OJC EMAIL / FACEBOOK by THURSDAY MORNING MAY 10th - THE LATEST - TO BE PUT ON LIST FOR PLAY.

*RE-OCCUPATION of JOURNAL SQUARE by OJC

-Alex suggested we as OJC outreach to inform members of OJC's 're-occupation' in Journal Square
-Alex said we sould upgrade / update our facebook and website to inform of our meetings to grow
-Erik reminded that we HAVE BEEN meeting/'occupying' all winter (as OWS has done - but INDOORS) and that we have been doing actions / 'occupying' - St. Peter's teach-in; flyering; letters; etc.
-Migna said that even OWS has evolved into other indoor and outdoor actions by different means.
-Michael P. agreed - Numbers at OWS have been much smaller through summer - but have stayed active via 'hard-core' activists
-Alex explained (all agreed) it's important to be outside eventually at 9/11 Fountain
-Yves suggested we learn lessons from before / last year and to find "UNITY IN COMMUNITY" 'What's our political objective'? and what the "direct needs of community" are.
-Migna suggested to have OJC hold signs again in Journal Sq.

*'NATIONAL GATHERING" Information and Endorsement by OJC

-Michael P. explained about the NATIONAL GATHERING of all OWS movements which is to happen from JUNE on JULY 4th 2012 in PHILADELPHIA.
-Wondering if anyone will go from OJC
-Erik explained that a contact of Miguel's requested OJC to endorse this event (which IS endorsed by OWS itself)
-Proposal was made by Erik for OJC to endorse NATIONAL GATHERING
-PROPOSAL PASSED UNANIMOUSLY!
- https://twitter.com/#!/occupyng
- http://www.occupynationalgathering.com/

*FLYER UPDATE

-Erik informed that NEW OJC flyers are still being worked on.
-Alex has done much of work. Will be ready very soon for GA approval.
-Migna said we should make copies of OLDER flyers also: NDAA / NO WAR ON IRAN / and original OJC handouts (ALL AGREED)

*BLIND GENTLEMAN in CHINA / ACTIVIST

-Calvin updated us on a story of a Chinese gentleman who happens to be blind who fled China.

*DIRECT ACTIONS for OJC

-Education is a huge issue in JC now--and Migna proposed we do an action around education
-Michael proposed 'pickets'
-Michael proposed new action at G.S. re: photos / cameras
-Feeding homeless
-Holding signs - and flyering in Square (as we've been doing all winter)

*MAY DAY - REPORT BACK (entire day) from MIKE P.

-Michael P. gave very brief report-back re: his experiences on MAY DAY in Union Square / NYC.
-Said day started very early / only about 10 people.
-Mainstream news media blacked-out most reports on MAY DAY success (10,000 at 3pm in Union Square to about 40,000 or more marching / attending along B'way from 6pm onwards)
-Michael said that unions were afraid to do any 'direct action' and/or civil disobedience
-NO sightings of 'Move On' signs
-20 Vietnam Veteran's were arrested at Vietnam Vet. Memorial in NYC

*LOWER EAST SIDE FESTIVAL - OJC TRIP

-Erik reminded that OJC VOTED on and AGREED to a trip to LES Festival on either MAY 25, 26, or 27
-ACTUAL FINAL DATE AND TIME TBD
http://www.theaterforthenewcity.net/les.htm

-This is a FREE event
-OJC PASSED PROPOSAL on MAY 1st to fund METROCARD trip via PATH ONLY to FREE Festival (AS DISCUSSED ABOVE IN FIRST AGENDA POINT)

*OJC FACEBOOK ISSUES

-Alex mentioned that OJC facebook page and blog have NOT been updated
-WePay not added to blog / facebook yet
-New moderators not added as promised
-OJC statement not changed yet
-All agreed we need current moderators to add changes to blog and facebook ASAP